Actavis Confirms Generic NuvaRing® Patent Challenge

DUBLIN, Dec. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Actavis plc (NYSE: ACT) today confirmed that its subsidiary, Warner Chilcott Company LLC, has filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market Ethinyl Estradiol and Etonogestrel Vaginal Ring, 0.015 mg/24 hour and 0.12 mg/24 hour.  Actavis' ANDA product is a generic version of Merck & Co.'s NuvaRing^®, which is an estrogen/progestin combination hormonal contraceptive indicated for use by women to prevent pregnancy.

Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V. filed suit against Warner Chilcott on December 24, 2013, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware seeking to prevent Actavis from commercializing its ANDA product prior to the expiration of U.S. Patent No 5,989,581.  The lawsuit was filed under the provisions of the Hatch-Waxman Act, resulting in a stay of final FDA approval of Actavis' ANDA for up to 30 months from the date the plaintiffs received notice of Actavis' ANDA filing or until final resolution of the matter before the court, whichever occurs sooner, subject to any other exclusivities.

Based on available information, Actavis believes it may be a "first applicant" to file an ANDA for the generic version of NuvaRing^® and, should its ANDA be approved, may be entitled to 180 days of generic market exclusivity.

For the 12 months ending October 31, 2013, NuvaRing^® had total U.S. sales of approximately $560 million, according to IMS Health data.

About Actavis

Actavis plc (NYSE: ACT) is a global, integrated specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing generic, brand and biosimilar products.  Actavis has global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and U.S. administrative headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey, USA. 

Actavis Pharma markets generic, branded generic, legacy brands and Over-the-Counter (OTC) products in more than 60 countries.  Actavis Specialty Brands is a global branded specialty pharmaceutical business focused principally in the Urology and Women's Health therapeutic categories, as well as Gastroenterology and Dermatology.  Actavis Specialty Brands also has a portfolio of five biosimilar products in development in Women's Health and Oncology.  Actavis Global Operations has more than 30 manufacturing and distribution facilities around the world, and includes Anda, Inc., a U.S. pharmaceutical product distributor.

For press release and other company information, visit Actavis' Web site at http://www.actavis.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Actavis' current perspective of existing information as of the date of this release.  It is important to note that Actavis' goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from Actavis' current expectations depending upon a number of factors, risks and uncertainties affecting Actavis' business. These factors include, among others; the difficulty of predicting the timing and outcome of the pending patent litigation; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of product development efforts, including FDA and other regulatory agency approvals and actions, if any; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the timing and success of product launches; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the availability and pricing of third party sourced products and materials; successful compliance with FDA and other governmental regulations applicable to Actavis' and its third party manufacturers' facilities, products and/or businesses; changes in the laws and regulations; and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Actavis' periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Actavis plc's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2013. Except as expressly required by law, Actavis disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

NuvaRing^® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V.

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SOURCE Actavis plc

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